{"id":5230,"date":"2021-04-09T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/blog\/uncategorized\/ux-design-certification\/"},"modified":"2022-12-06T11:47:43","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T10:47:43","slug":"ux-design-certification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/blog\/ux-design\/ux-design-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should You Look for in a UX Design Certification?"},"content":{"rendered":"

UX is an ever-changing and evolving field<\/a>\u2014and, although it\u2019s come a long way since its inception back in the 90s, it is still considered to be a relatively young discipline. In many ways, the rules and tools of the trade are still being established, so it can be difficult to identify a clear route into the field. What\u2019s more, UX is part of a tech scene that values hands-on skills over paper qualifications. So what do you actually need to get into UX? Is a UX design certification really necessary, and what kind of certification is actually worthwhile?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keen to kickstart your career as a UX designer, you may be looking to obtain a UX design certification. Perhaps you want to master some fundamental UX skills in order to apply them to your current job\u2014and want the certification to prove it. Whatever your goals, it\u2019s important to make sure that you get your UX qualification<\/a> through a reputable, high-quality program.<\/p>\n

With so many different options to choose from, we know that picking the right course can be tough. But fear not: by the end of this post, you\u2019ll know exactly what to look for when choosing a credible UX design certification. In this guide, we\u2019ll cover the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Is a UX design certification really necessary?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Who can get a UX design certification?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. What should you look for in a UX design certification?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. What are some of the best certification programs for UX designers?<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Key takeaways and next steps<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Let\u2019s jump in!<\/p>\n

    1. Is a UX design certification really necessary?<\/h2>\n

    If you\u2019ve been looking into UX design skills and qualifications, you\u2019ll have noticed that there is no single, universally recognized UX design certification. While many fields and professions are governed by specific bodies\u2014like the APA for psychologists, or the NAAB for architects\u2014there is currently no such accreditation for UX designers.<\/p>\n

    At the same time, there is no clear-cut route into UX; it\u2019s not a case of going to university or college to study UX and graduating as a UX designer. This is partly due to the fact that UX design is a relatively young discipline; the term \u201cuser experience\u201d was first coined in the 90s<\/a>, so it\u2019s not as well-established as some of the more traditional career paths.<\/p>\n

    At the same time, UX design is an extremely hands-on field. While it is grounded in certain laws and principles, employers are much more interested in how you solve problems and come up with tangible solutions\u2014it\u2019s not necessarily about learning theory and passing exams.<\/p>\n

    Does this mean that a UX certification is unnecessary?<\/h3>\n

    Not quite. A certification in UX is a very useful piece of paper to have\u2014especially if you\u2019re looking to start a career in the field. Just like a college degree or diploma, a certification vouches for the fact that you\u2019ve mastered all the main principles, skills, and techniques that are key to UX, such as user research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.<\/p>\n

    Together with your portfolio, it verifies that you\u2019ve not only learned about such skills, but that you\u2019ve also put them into practice with real tasks and projects.<\/p>\n

    A UX design certification is an excellent entry point for new designers\u2014but it can be extremely valuable for experienced designers, too. In such a multidisciplinary field as UX, it\u2019s not unusual for UX designers to gradually move into the role over time, bringing experience from related fields such as marketing, research, graphic design, or customer service.<\/p>\n

    The right certification ties all of these relevant skills together, enabling you to market yourself as a qualified and experienced UX professional.<\/p>\n

    As the UX field matures and the UX designer job title becomes increasingly well-known (and sought-after!), employers and potential clients will be looking for some kind of verification that you are the skilled UX professional you claim to be.<\/p>\n

    A credible certification offers visible, tangible proof that you\u2019re a qualified UX designer\u2014and, as the market becomes more competitive, will set you apart from self-taught designers who don\u2019t have a certification to their name.<\/p>\n

    Given that there is currently no \u201cgold standard\u201d in UX design certification, it\u2019s extremely important to make sure that your certificate comes from a reputable provider. We\u2019ll consider what you should look out for when choosing a course or program in section three. For now, let\u2019s take a look at who can become a certified UX designer.<\/p>\n

    2. Who can get a UX design certification?<\/h2>\n

    The UX industry is booming, and the demand for UX designers continues to rise; in 2019, UX designers came second on this list of the most in-demand talent<\/a>. In addition to a creative and varied career, UX designers benefit from a competitive salary; find out how much you could earn as a UX designer in this salary guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    In all, UX design is a highly appealing career path\u2014so what background do you need in order to obtain a UX design certification and become a UX designer?<\/p>\n

    As it\u2019s such a varied discipline, UX design is open to people with all sorts of professional, educational, and personal backgrounds; there\u2019s no specific \u201ctype\u201d of person who can become a UX designer. If you\u2019re considering a career in UX, you\u2019ll find that many of your existing skills can be transferred to the field\u2014such as empathy<\/a>, communication, research, and problem-solving.<\/p>\n

    Take Kevin Rice for example, a former accountant who used his background in research and analysis to retrain as a UX designer<\/a>. In a similar vein, Sagan Pope<\/a> found that the empathy and people skills she developed throughout her career as a teacher set her in good stead for the UX field.<\/p>\n

    In that sense, anyone with an interest in UX and the motivation to see it through can complete a UX design certification. While some university courses require applicants to have previously studied art, design, computing, or social sciences, these tend to be the exception rather than the rule; most UX design programs have a very low barrier to entry.<\/p>\n

    In fact, some of the most widely recognized UX programs are specifically built for people who want to make a career change with no prior experience, and are therefore very accessible. Of course, with so many different options on the market, it\u2019s important to choose a credible program that will teach to a high standard. Which brings us to our next section\u2026<\/p>\n

    3. What should you look for in a UX design certification?<\/h2>\n

    If you\u2019re looking to complete a UX design certification, you\u2019ll find a whole range of options\u2014from online courses and university diplomas to in-person workshops and blended programs. However, it\u2019s important to bear in mind that not all UX design certifications are created equal. Before you part with your hard-earned money, you\u2019ll want to make sure that your chosen program ticks all the boxes. Here\u2019s what you should look for in a UX certification:<\/p>\n

    Mentorship<\/h3>\n

    There\u2019s a big difference between completing a course on your own and learning with the help of a mentor. A good UX design program<\/a> will connect you with at least one industry expert who can answer your questions, critique your work, and offer general advice and guidance. Especially in a field like UX, it\u2019s important to learn how to take feedback on board and to iterate on your designs\u2014this is one of the first things employers will be looking for when reviewing your certification. Not only that: learning new skills can be tough, and there are many challenges that come with being an adult learner<\/a>. A mentor will help to keep you motivated and on track, even when it seems impossible! We\u2019ve written in more detail about the importance of having a mentor in this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Practical, project-based learning<\/h3>\n

    UX design is an extremely hands-on field, so any worthwhile UX design certification will combine both theory and practical work. Look for a program that teaches the key principles and techniques in a logical order, and one that includes practical exercises to test and apply what you\u2019ve learned. If you\u2019re learning UX in order to make a career change, you\u2019ll also need a course that focuses on your portfolio. In fact, when it comes to landing your first job in UX<\/a>, employers will be far more interested in your portfolio than the UX design certification itself. Opt for a program that will help you build your portfolio from scratch, work on dedicated portfolio projects, and polish it up ready for the job market. You can learn more about what goes into a UX design portfolio in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Good, legitimate reviews<\/h3>\n

    Aside from quality course content, you\u2019ll also want to run some general background checks. Does your chosen provider have a good reputation? Look out for genuine reviews from previous students and see how they rate their experience with your chosen UX course. While the company website is a good place to start, you\u2019re not likely to see the most honest reviews on their homepage, so be sure to check independent review sites such as Course Report<\/a> and SwitchUp<\/a> as well. A steady stream of reviews from real students suggests that the course provider has been around for a while, and that what they\u2019re offering is genuine. Based on what other students have said, you\u2019ll also get a feel for whether this particular certification is right for you.<\/p>\n

    Transparency<\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019re trusting a course provider with your time and money, it\u2019s important to make sure that you know exactly what you\u2019re getting. In other words, what will your final certificate represent? When browsing their website, it should be clear what exactly the course entails, the kind of support you can expect, and how much it costs. There should also be the option to speak to an advisor (free of charge) so you can ask any questions you have about the certification and whether or not it\u2019s the best option for you. A credible provider will be completely upfront about the work involved in getting your UX design certification, and will not try to sell you a course that doesn\u2019t suit your needs.<\/p>\n

    A solid and credible presence<\/h3>\n

    One way to judge the credibility of a UX design certification is to sound out the provider\u2019s online presence. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you\u2019re signing up for quality content, and this will often be reflected in the free resources they offer outside of the course. Do they have a blog where they speak knowledgeably and authoritatively about UX? Do they publish interviews with real graduates<\/a>? Perhaps they even offer free video tutorials<\/a> and downloadable resources. If the course provider has a solid presence within the industry, the more credible your qualification will be in the eyes of employers.<\/p>\n

    Proof that it works<\/h3>\n

    In keeping with transparency and credibility, your chosen provider should be able to offer tangible proof that their course actually works\u2014and that their certification holds weight within the industry. Are they able to provide statistics on how many students successfully find a job in the field once they have their UX certification? Is there enough anecdotal evidence, such as student success stories, to prove that the course is worthwhile? What do the majority of students go on to do with their UX design certification? A good course provider will have this information to hand, and be willing to share it with you if it\u2019s not already visible on their website.<\/p>\n

    4. What are some of the best certification programs for UX designers?<\/h2>\n

    Now you know what to look for in a UX design certification, you\u2019re probably wondering which programs and courses are worth considering. Some of the most reputable, well-known providers offering UX design certifications include:<\/p>\n